Massachusetts Tomato Contest Draws 106 Entries
Farmers from Idylwide, Stillman's, Verrill and Ward's Berry Farms take top honors at 27th annual event
BOSTON - Monday, August 22, 2011 - Tomato farmers from across the state converged on City Hall Plaza today to display the fruits of their labors at the Commonwealth's 27 th Annual Tomato Contest. A highlight of the kickoff celebration for Massachusetts Farmers' Market Week, this year's festival drew 106 entries.
Top prizes went to Idylwide Farm of Acton, Stillman's Farm of New Braintree, Verrill Farm of Concord, and Ward's Berry Farm of Sharon. A full list of contest winners is attached. Entries were judged by a panel of food writers, chefs, cookbook authors, produce experts and state officials.
"Local tomatoes and other produce are in abundant supply right now at farmers' markets and roadside stands across the state and I encourage all Commonwealth residents and visitors to stop by a nearby market and discover great, farm-fresh food," said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR) Commissioner Scott J. Soares, who kick off today's event by reading the Patrick-Murray Administration's proclamation, declaring August 21-27 as Massachusetts Farmers' Market Week.
In addition to the presentation of awards, today's Tomato Festival included tomato tasting, recipe demonstrations and information on nutrition and local farms. The festival and contest are sponsored by DAR, the New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and Mass Farmers' Markets.
Massachusetts Tomato Contest Winners, 2011
SLICING CATEGORY | ||||
Entry | Farm Name | Town | Variety | Place |
12 | Idylwilde Farm | Acton | Black Velvet | 1 |
15 | Verrill Farm | Concord | Dafel | 2 |
17 | Ward's Berry Farm | Sharon | Scarlet Red | 3 |
1 | Red Fire Farm | Granby | Geranimo | 4 |
28 | Freitas Farm | Middleboro | Super Steak | 5 |
27 | Freitas Farm | Middleboro | Trust | 6 |
2 | Red Fire Farm | Granby | BHN-589 | 7 |
16 | MacArthur | Holliston | Trust | 8 |
18 | Ward's Berry Farm | Sharon | Big Beef | 9 |
6 | Cape Abilities Farm | Hyannis | Trust2 | 10 |
CHERRY CATEGORY | ||||
Entry | Farm Name | Town | Variety | Place |
17 | Ward's Berry Farm | Sharon | Sun Gold | 1 |
18 | Ward's Berry Farm | Sharon | Mini Charm | 2 |
28 | Freitas Farm | Middleboro | Sun Gold | 3 |
1 | Red Fire Farm | Granby | Matt's Wild | 4 |
3 | Macone Farm | Concord | Sun Gold | 5 |
21 | Wilson Farm | Lexington | Matt's Wild | 6 |
6 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Sun Sugar | 7 |
9 | Marini Farm | Ipswich | Sun Gold | 8 |
11 | Grant's Plant | Essex | Sun Cherry | 9 |
15 | Verrill Farm | Concord | Sun Gold | 10 |
HEIRLOOM CATEGORY | ||||
Entry | Farm Name | Town | Variety | Place |
32 | Stillman's Farm | New Braintree | Striped German | 1 |
2 | Red Fire Farm | Granby | Brandywine | 2 |
15 | Verrill Farm | Concord | Moskovitch | 3 |
4 | Macone Farm | Concord | Pondarosa Pink | 4 |
6 | Red Fire Farm | Granby | Wapsipinicon Peach | 5 |
17 | Verrill Farm | Concord | Rose | 6 |
3 | Macone Farm | Concord | Macone Heirloom | 7 |
25 | Wilson Farm | Lexington | Harris Beefsteak | 8 |
5 | Macone Farm | Concord | Mr. Stripey | 9 |
19 | Ward's Berry Farm | Sharon | Paul Robeson | 10 |
HEAVIEST | |||||
Entry | Farm Name | Town | Variety | Weight | Place |
10 | Verrill Farm | Concord | Aussie | 3.210 | 1 |
13 | Volante Farm | Needham | Orange Persimmon | 3.010 | 2 |
12 | Taft Farms | Gt Barrington | Mortgae Lifter | 2.730 | 3 |
3 | Red Fire | Granby | Brandywine | 2.505 | 4 |
4 | Kimball Fruit Farm | Pepperell | Aussie | 2.430 | 5 |
1 | Macone Farm | Concord | Mr. Stripey | 2.415 | 6 |
9 | Rota Spring Farm | Sterling | Primo | 2.080 | 7 |
5 | Farmer Daves | Dracut | Brandywine | 2.025 | 8 |
8 | Charlie's Red House Farm | Winchendon | Striped German | 2.015 | 9 |
11 | Ward's Berry Farm | Sharon | Striped German | 1.865 | 10 |
DAR's mission is to ensure the long-term viability of local agriculture in Massachusetts. Through its four divisions - Agricultural Development, Animal Health, Crop and Pest Services, and Technical Assistance - the DAR strives to support, regulate and enhance the Commonwealth's agricultural community, working to promote economically and environmentally sound food safety and animal health measures, and fulfill agriculture's role in energy conservation and production. For more information, visit DAR's website at www.mass.gov/agr, and/or follow at http://twitter.com/#!/MDARCommish